HP Surestore 64 - Director Switch Manual page 9

How SNMP Works
SNMP is the only protocol that is widely available from many vendors of TCP/IP
networks and internetworks.
SNMP:
Allows management with a simple set of commands.
Allows new devices added to a network to be easily managed with minimal
intervention.
Is adequate for many basic network management needs.
Is generalized for application to networks other than TCP/IP, such as IPX and OSI.
Provides a great deal of versatility for managing a great many types of devices.
Allows all networks to employ the same method for management.
A manager requests information from an agent by sending a single command, the Get
command. The Get command also has a variation (GetNextRequest) that permits more
efficient operation:
GetRequest – Requests the value of a specified variable on the agent. This command is
used to retrieve management data.
GetNextRequest – Requests the value of the next variable after the one specified in the
previous Get command.This command is used to retrieve lists and tables of
management data.
An agent responds to a request by sending a single command, the GetResponse
command. This command contains the requested information.
A manager changes information (variables) in the agent by sending a single command,
the SetRequest command. this command is used to manipulate management data.
A trap is used by an agent to report extraordinary events. Refer to Traps and Their
Purpose on page 7.
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